Champions League 2026-27: The biggest league-phase fixtures

Real Madrid–Inter, PSG–Barcelona and Manchester City–PSG headline a packed schedule

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Champions League 2026-27: The biggest league-phase fixtures

The Champions League calendar promises several spectacular nights, with heavyweight encounters spread across the league phase from September 2026 to January 2027.

Following the league-phase draw, UEFA has released the schedule for the 2026-27 Champions League. The competition begins on 8 September, with a series of major European clashes across all eight matchdays before the league phase concludes on 27 January 2027.

The opening round immediately sets the tone with Real Madrid against Inter Milan and Liverpool hosting Atlético Madrid. October looks even more intense, as Manchester City face PSG before two other highly anticipated showdowns: PSG - Barcelona and Bayern Munich - Arsenal.

The biggest league-phase fixtures

8 and 9 September: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan; Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid ; SSC Napoli - Arsenal.
13 and 14 October: Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United; Manchester City vs PSG.
20 and 21 October: PSG vs Barcelona; Bayern Munich vs Arsenal.
3 and 24 November: Atlético Madrid vs Bayern; Manchester United vs Roma; Arsenal vs Dortmund; Manchester City vs Napoli.
8 and 9 December: Barcelona vs Manchester City; Dortmund vs Inter Milan.
19 and 20 January: Inter Milan vs Liverpool; Manchester United vs Bayern Munich.

Manchester United return to the Champions League

Absent from the competition since the 2023-24 edition, Manchester United return to the Champions League after two seasons away. The club sat seventh when Michael Carrick arrived in January but finished third in the 2025-26 Premier League with 71 points. Under the English coach, the Red Devils collected 39 points from 17 matches, the division’s best total during that period, at an average of 2.29 points per game.

Back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a particularly demanding schedule. In addition to Manchester City and Barcelona, the French side host Roma and travel to Aston Villa. Every point could prove crucial in the race for a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the round of 16.

Last season’s beaten finalists Arsenal must visit Bayern Munich before hosting Borussia Dortmund. The sheer number of heavyweight games will give the league phase a knockout feel long before the competition officially reaches the elimination rounds.